Parents whose children attend an east-end Toronto daycare are being advised about a young boy who died of a bacteria-related infection.
The boy, 3, died unexpectedly on Jan. 17 from an infection caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a rare form of bacteria that can cause a wide range of infections – the most common being strep throat.
The boy attended Woodfield Day Care, located in the Coxwell Avenue and Queen Street East area. Employees at the Leslieville daycare said he developed a fever approximately two weeks ago, before he was sent home.
On Monday, parents whose children attend the daycare were informed about his death. Toronto Public Health also sent parents a letter last Thursday that said "a child who attended Woodfield Day Care has died of an infection caused by the bacteria, group A streptococcus (GAS)."
Toronto Public Health officials say while it is very unlikely that a second person at the daycare has the same infection, parents whose children are in the infant, toddler and preschool programs are being told to watch out for symptoms.
"Look out for things like strep throat – so if (your) child develops a sore throat or fever … take the child to the doctor and just let them know that there has been a case in the daycare," an associate medical officer of health with the City of Toronto told CTV Toronto.
Experts stress, however, that what happened at Woodfield is not common.
"There's no question that this a tragic event that strikes the fear in any parent … but we know for our experience with Group A Streptococcus that this severe form of disease is incredibly rare," said Dr. Neil, an infectious disease specialist. "But the ugly face of the disease is that it can actually affect people who are perfectly healthy."
In 2014, there were 156 reported cases of invasive GAS in Toronto. Fifteen per cent of those cases were fatal – the majority of them were elderly patients.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Zuraidah Alman
